Health PEI hires doctor with expertise in mobile crisis response

Health PEI has hired a new psychiatrist to practice on the Island one who specializes in mobile crisis response.

Dr. Mahesh Nachnani is from Lincolnshire, England. He will begin working on P.E.I. in August.

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Nachnani visited the Island last February to talk with provincial health officials about creating a mobile crisis response unit that would do home visits and take phone calls from patients. Nachnani is an expert in mobile crisis response.

Dr. Heather Keizer, Health PEI's chief of mental health and addictions, said while Nachnani wasn't hired solely to consult with the government on mobile crisis response, his expertise will be useful should the province decide to create it's own mobile crisis team.

"My hope is that he would be open to helping with planning and potential implementation if we were able to get appropriate funding and if there was will to pursue it," said Keizer.

Opposition calling for mobile crisis team

On Friday, the Progressive Conservativestabled a petition in the legislature calling on the government to establish a mobile crisis team to help Islanders with mental illness and addictions.

The Opposition's petition has nearly 400 signatures. P.E.I. remains the only province in Atlantic Canada without a mobile crisis unit.

Keizer said Health PEI is still interested in working with the government to create a mobile crisis team for the province.

"In fact, it's something we've [Health PEI] been looking at for a while. I would say that it could very well be a reality here. The real determining factor is in regards to appropriate funding and appropriate planning," said Keizer.

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